Shaquille O'Neal Refuses to Give Rudy Gobert Credit After Nikola Jokic Struggles
Shaquille O'Neal is not ready to give Rudy Gobert credit for Nikola Jokic's struggles against the Timberwolves. While Charles Barkley believes Gobert's defense has played a big role in making life difficult for Jokic, Shaq sees it very differently.
In his view, Jokic is simply missing shots he would normally make, and that does not automatically mean Gobert is shutting him down. With the Nuggets already under pressure in the series, Jokic's quiet stretches have become a major talking point, but Shaq made it clear he is not buying the idea that Gobert deserves all the praise for it.
During a post-game discussion on ESPN, Shaq made his feelings very clear on Gobert and Jokic.
Shaq refused to give Rudy Gobert his flowers for his defense on Jokic:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 26, 2026
"When you're a guy like Joker, you're just missing shots. I'm not going to sit up here and say Rudy Gobert is shutting him down, I'm never going to say that."
(h/t @NBA__Courtside) pic.twitter.com/de2BSmDzLh
He said, "Joker has dominated him (Gobert) a lot. He has two bad games and now you're saying Rudy is shutting him down? Just because you miss a shot and have bad game does not mean the defense is shutting you down. When you're a guy like Joker, you're just missing shots. I'm not going to sit up here and say Rudy Gobert is shutting him down, I'm never going to say that."
A Closer Look at Game Four Between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves
Minnesota's night could have fallen apart very quickly, but Ayo Dosunmu made sure it became a statement win instead.
The Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo before halftime, which should have been the opening Denver needed to take control of Game 4. Instead, Minnesota somehow got stronger as the game went on. Dosunmu became the unexpected center of everything, giving the Wolves scoring, speed, confidence, and a huge emotional lift when they badly needed one.
He finished with 43 points off the bench, the kind of performance that completely changes a playoff game. Denver had no real answer once he got going. He attacked in transition, punished defensive mistakes, hit big jumpers, and kept putting pressure on the Nuggets until the game slipped away from them.
For Denver, it was another frustrating collapse. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray had their moments, but the Nuggets' offense dried up badly in the second half. Their outside shooting never really clicked, and Minnesota's defense kept forcing rushed possessions and turnovers.
By the fourth quarter, the Wolves looked like the sharper and more desperate team. Mike Conley also gave them important minutes with Edwards and DiVincenzo out, helping steady the game while Dosunmu carried the scoring.
The night ended with extra tension after Jokic confronted Jaden McDaniels over a late layup, but the real story was Minnesota taking a 3-1 series lead and pushing Denver to the brink.
Related: Jaden McDaniels Breaks Silence After Tense Moment With Nikola Jokic
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 4:00 AM.